Hybrid fiber optic and power connector

ABSTRACT

A fiber optic connector for mounting to a cable having a plurality of optical fibers and connecting the optical fibers to mating optical fibers using termini. The connector comprises a housing defining an exterior and having a rear portion to which the cable is secured and through which the plurality of optical fibers enter. A support member having a shank which is engaged with a retainer ring and which is disposed within the housing extends between the rear portion of the housing and a forward portion of the housing with a gap disposed between the housing and the shank through which the optical fibers extend. A recess is disposed in the forward portion of the housing and has an interiorly disposed periphery which defines a recess profile. The recess profile has inner portions which receive the termini of the optical fibers.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a Continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.10/078,166 filed Feb. 19, 2002 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,719,461.

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates in general to fiber optic connectors andelectrical power cable connectors, and, in particular, to a hybrid fiberoptic and power cable connector for simultaneously connecting matingpairs of optical fibers and mating pairs of electrical power conductors.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Prior art fiber optic connectors have been provided for connectingoptical fibers for transmitting light signals. Electrical connectorshave also been provided for connecting electrical conductors to powerelectrically operated equipment. Such connectors have been used forconnecting signal towers to switching stations for wirelesstelecommunication installations. The signal towers are often located atremote distances from telecommunication switching equipment and powerconnections, requiring that both signal conductors and power conductorsbe run between the signal tower and switching equipment. In the past,data connections were provided by electrical conductors, which usuallywere run separately from power conductors due to EMF interferenceconcerns and shielding constraints. With an increase in the number orbroadband wireless installations, more fiber optic cables have beeninstalled for transmitting data signals between signal towers andswitching equipment. The optical fibers of such cables have also beeninstalled separately from electric power conductors, such that separatefiber optic connectors and electric power connectors were provided forconnecting optical fibers and for connecting electric power conductors,respectively.

Fiber optic connectors have been provided by connectors having mainbodies defined by metallic, outer sleeves. Inserts were mounted inforward ends of the outer sleeves for receiving termini assemblies,which were mounted to the terminal ends of respective optical fibers.One or more termini retainers were provided for securing the terminiwithin the inserts. Alignment sleeves were provided for receiving theterminal ends of the termini of mating optical fibers being connectedtogether, to align the optical fibers for transmitting light signals.Insert caps were secured to the outward ends of the inserts for securingalignment sleeves within the inserts. A rear seal body was secured inthe rearward end of the outer sleeve. The rear seal body was fixedlymounted to the fiber optic cable being connected and was secured in theouter sleeve to secure the outer housing to the fiber optic connector infixed relation to the cable. The rear seal body had a conically shapedprofile for mating with a conically shaped member to retain a portion ofan outer sheath or an armor of the fiber optic cable in a fixed relationbetween the conically shaped profiles. Seals were also provided forsealing between the forward end of the outer sleeve and the insert, andthe rear seal body and the rearward end of the outer sleeve. The outersleeve, the insert, the termini retainer, the insert cap and the rearseal body were typically formed of metallic components, with each piecebeing separately made and requiring assembly to provide and to servicesuch connectors.

The outer sleeves of the above prior art connectors typically providedthe structural members to which the insert bodies and insert caps weresecured in the forward ends of the connectors, and to which the rearseal bodies were secured in the rearward ends of the connectors. Thisrequired that the outer sleeves be of certain wall thicknesses toprovide structural integrity for maintaining the insert bodies and therear seal bodies in fixed relation within the outer sleeve. The requiredminimum wall thicknesses for the outer sleeves were balanced against thedesired maximum outside diameters of the fiber optic couplings and theinterior diameter required for receiving the respective insert bodiesand rear seal bodies, which are sized for receiving a desired number ofoptical fiber termini and a desired size of cable, respectively. Theabove constraints typically resulted in outer sleeve interior diameterswhich provide limited amounts of cross sectional areas, such that only alimited amount of slack may be provided in the portion of the opticalfibers which extended between the inserts and the rear seal bodies dueto constraints resulting from required minimum bend radiuses for theoptical fibers. Since only nominal amounts of excess lengths of theoptical fibers were provided within the outer sleeves of suchconnectors, usually all of the termini would have to be replaced whenonly one termini required replacement.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention disclosed and claimed herein comprises, in oneaspect thereof, a fiber optic connector for mounting to a cable having aplurality of optical fibers and optically connecting the optical fibersto mating optical fibers, wherein the optical fibers and the matingoptical fibers have termini mounted to respective ends thereof. Thefiber optic connector comprises a housing defining an exterior of thefiber optic connector and having a rear portion to which the cable issecured and through which the plurality of optical fibers enter theconnector. A support member having a shank which is engaged with aretainer ring and which is disposed within the housing extends betweenthe rear portion of the housing and a forward portion of the housingwith a gap disposed between the housing and the shank through which theoptical fibers extend. A recess is disposed in the forward portion ofthe housing and has an interiorly disposed periphery which defines arecess profile. The recess profile has inner portions which receive thetermini of the optical fibers.

The present invention disclosed and claimed herein comprises, in anotheraspect thereof, a electrical connector for mounting to a cable having aplurality of electrical conductors and electrically connecting theelectrical conductors to mating electrical conductors, wherein theelectrical conductors and the mating electrical conductors have contactsmounted to respective ends thereof. The electrical connector comprises ahousing defining an exterior of the electrical connector and having arear portion to which the cable is secured and through which theplurality of electrical conductors enter the connector. A support memberhaving a shank which is engaged with a retainer ring and which isdisposed within the housing extends between the rear portion of thehousing and a forward portion of the housing with a gap disposed betweenthe housing and the shank through which the electrical conductorsextend. A recess is disposed in the forward portion of the housing andhas an interiorly disposed periphery which defines a recess profile. Therecess profile has inner portions which receive the contacts of theelectrical conductors.

The present invention disclosed and claimed herein comprises, in afurther aspect thereof, a fiber optic connector for mounting to a cablehaving a plurality of optical fibers and optically connecting theoptical fibers to mating optical fibers using termini. The fiber opticconnector comprises a housing defining an exterior of the fiber opticconnector. A forward portion of the housing defines a rear facingrecess, and a rear portion of the housing allows entry of the opticalfibers into the connector. A support member extends from the rearportion of the housing into the recess. The support member has a shankwhich extends between the recess and a rear portion of the supportmember. The shank is centrally disposed within the housing and definesan annular gap between the shank and the housing through which theoptical fibers extend. The recess has a periphery which defines a recessprofile, the recess profile having inner portions which receive thetermini of the optical fibers.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a more complete understanding of the present invention and theadvantages thereof, reference is now made to the following descriptiontaken in conjunction with the accompanying Drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a forward end view of a hybrid connector for coupling bothoptical fibers and power conductors;

FIG. 2 is a longitudinal section view of the hybrid connector, takenalong section line 2—2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an end view of a hybrid receptacle for joining with the hybridconnector to connect mating pairs optical fibers and mating pairs ofpower conductors;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the hybrid receptacle, taken along sectionline 4—4 of FIG. 3;

FIGS. 5A and 5B together provide an exploded,perspective view of thehybrid connector;

FIG. 6 is a longitudinal section view of a central support member of thehybrid connector, taken along section line 6—6 FIG. 5A;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged view perspective view of the forward end of thecentral support member, showing a retainer ring portion of the supportmember for securing optical fiber termini relative to the centralsupport member;

FIG. 8 is a section view of the forward end of the central supportmember and the insert member, taken along section line 8—8 FIG. 5A;

FIG. 9 is a longitudinal section view of a termini for an optical fiberused in the hybrid connector;

FIGS. 10 and 11 are sectional views of alternative embodiments of thehybrid connector, showing various arrangements for the mating profilesof the retain ring and the insert; and

FIGS. 12 through 14 show various embodiments of hybrid fiber optic andpower conductor cables for use with the hybrid connector.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIGS. 1 through 4 are various views of a hybrid fiber optic and electricpower cable coupling 12 having a hybrid connector 14 and hybridreceptacle 16. FIG. 1 is a forward end view of the hybrid connector 14and FIG. 2 is a longitudinal section view of the hybrid connector 14,taken along section line 2—2 of FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is an end view of thehybrid receptacle 16, and FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the hybridreceptacle 16, taken along section line 4—4 of FIG. 3. The hybrid cablecoupling 12 provides an electro-optic coupling for connecting bothrespective termini 18 of optical fibers 20 and contacts 22 and 24 ofelectric power conductors 26. The hybrid connector 14 includes an insertmember 28 which is preferably integrally molded of a non-conductiveplastic, and includes three tabs 30 which protrude radially outward fromthe forward end of the insert member.28. The hybrid receptacle 16includes a receptacle body 32, which also is preferably molded of anon-conductive plastic, and has three grooves 34 which are formedtherein in longitudinal directions in a keyed arrangement for receivingthe tabs 30 of the insert member 28. The keyed arrangement providesangular alignment between the connector 14 and the receptacle 16 suchthat respective ones of the fiber optic termini 18, and the electricalcontacts 22 and 24 will be aligned for coupling together.

A coupling nut 36 is rotatably mounted to the forward end of the hybridconnector 14 and has interior threads 38. As used herein, the termsforward and rearward are used in relation to the hybrid connector 14 andreceptacle 16 in relation to a mating plane between mating termini, inwhich the forward end is closest to the mating plane and the rearwardend would refer to the opposite, cable end of either the connector 14 orthe receptacle 16. The coupling nut 36 is preferably formed of metal,but may also be formed of plastic. A coupling sleeve 40 is non-rotatablymounted to the exterior of the hybrid receptacle 16, and preferably hasexterior threads 42 for securing to the interior threads 38 of thecoupling nut 36 to secure the hybrid connector 14 to the receptacle 16.Preferably, the hybrid receptacle 16 includes a mounting flange 44. Thecoupling sleeve 40 preferably has an interiorly disposed, annular-shapedshoulder 37 which faces forward for engaging a rearwardly facing,annular-shaped shoulder 39 formed on the exterior of the receptacle body32. The rearward end of the receptacle body 32 has threads 41, forsecuring a coupling nut (not shown) which retains the coupling sleeve 40in fixed position relative to the receptacle body 32, pressed againstthe shoulder 39 of the receptacle body 32.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, the forward face of the receptacle body 32has a groove provided by an annular-shaped notch 46 formed therein forreceiving a seal member 48. The seal member 48 is preferably anelastomeric O-ring. When the hybrid connector 14 and the hybridreceptacle 16 are coupled together, the forward face 50 of the forwardhousing 29 is spaced apart from and extends parallel to the notch 46 todefine a seal gland 52, within which the seal member 48 is disposed forsealing therebetween. The forward end of the coupling sleeve 40 definesa shoulder 54 which presses against the forward face 50 of the forwardhousing 29 to define the width of the seal gland 52.

The hybrid receptacle 16 has a forward recess 70 formed in the forwardend of the receptacle body 32, centrally disposed around thelongitudinal axis 88. A plurality of bores 68 extend from the recess 70,through the receptacle body 32 and into a recess 66 formed in the rearface of the receptacle body 32. The recesses 70 and 66 are preferablycoaxial with and concentrically disposed around the longitudinal axis88. The bores 68 have central, longitudinal axes which are angularlyspaced equal angular distances around, and which extended parallel tothe central longitudinal axis 88 of the receptacle 16. A terminiretainer 64 is provided having slots 65 which extend from the outer edgeof the termini retainer 64 for receiving the bodies of the termini 18,to retain the termini 18 within the bores 68 in the retainer body 32.The termini retainer 64 is slidingly engaged within the recess 66, andhas an outside diameter which is smaller than the interior diameter ofthe recess 66 to provide clearance such that the termini retainer maymove slightly to allow the forward terminal ends of the termini 18 tomove for aligning with mating termini in the hybrid connector 14. Thetermini retainer 64 is secured to the receptacle body 32 by a fastener72, which is preferably threaded and fits within threaded hole formedinto the receptacle body 32. A bushing 73 is secured to the receptaclebody 32 by the fastener 72. The bushing 73 has a larger thickness thanthe width of the termini retainer 64, in a direction along thelongitudinal axis 88, such that the termini retainer 64 may moveslightly in a direction along the longitudinal axis 88 to allow somefloat for the termini 18 in the receptacle 16 to align with matingtermini 18 in the hybrid connector 14.

The insert member 28 of the hybrid coupling 12 is Conned such that thealignment sleeves 56 are retained within the insert member 28, alongwith the termini 18. The connector 14 is mounted to a hybrid cable 58 byfixedly securing a rear seal body 60 to the cable 58. A centrallydisposed support member 62 extends from the rear seal body 60, forwardand into the insert member 28. The support member 62 provides a strutfor structurally supporting and separating the rear seal body 60 fromthe insert member 28. The support member 62 provides a strut having arear portion 74 with exterior threads for threadingly securing to theforward end of the rear seal body 60. An elongated shank 76 extendsforward from the rear portion 74. A retainer ring 78 is disposed toextend around the shank 76, provided by an enlarged portion of the shank76. A tab 80 extends from a forward terminal end of the shank 76 forbeing received within an alignment notch 86 of the insert member 28. Theinsert member 28 has a rear facing, recessed portion 84 for receivingthe forward end of the shank 76 and the retainer ring 78. The termini 18and the contacts 22 are secured by intermating portions of an edge ofthe retainer ring 78 and an interior surface of the recessed portion 84of the insert member 28,which are discussed below in more detain inreference to FIG. 9. The hybrid connector 14 and the hybrid receptacle16 have a longitudinal axis 88.

A retainer sleeve 92 is provided for retaining an outer jacketing of thecable 58 between the retainer sleeve 92 and the rear portion 74 of thesupport member 62. The jacketing of the cable 58 is preferably formed ofan aramid fiber, such as KEVLAR™. The retainer sleeve 92 has an interiorbore having an interior tapered portion 94 and a profile 96 which ishex-shaped for mating with an exterior tapered portion 100 andhex-shaped flats 98, respectively, of the rear portion 74 of the supportmember 62. The rear end of the rear portion 74 of support member 62 istapered for mating against the interior taper 94 of the retainer sleeve92, with the jacketing of the cable 58 retained therebetween to fixedlysecure the cable 58 in fixed relation to the rear seal body 60. Thesupport member 62 is threadingly secured into the rear seal body 60, topull the tapered rear portion 74 of the support member 62 into theinterior taper 94 of the retainer sleeve 92, wedging a jacketing of thecable 58 between the interior taper 94 and the tapered rear portion 74of the support member 62 to secure the rear seal body 60 and the supportmember to the cable 58. The retainer sleeve 92 is secured within asocket 93 which provides and annular shaped shoulder 95 against whichthe retainer sleeve 92 is pressed b the rear, tapered terminal end ofthe support member 62. As shown, the retainer sleeve 92 is a separatemember from the rear seal body 60, but in other embodiments, theretainer sleeve 92 may integrally formed as a single part which includesthe rear seal body 60. The retainer sleeve 92 and the rear seal body 60,whether separate components or together formed as a singular piece, maybe formed of metal or molded from plastic.

FIGS. 5A and 5B together provide an exploded view showing variouscomponents of the hybrid connector 14 in perspective. The hybridconnector 14 includes a retainer ring 102 for securing in a groove 106of a forward end 108 of the forward housing 29. In FIG. 5A, the forwardhousing 29 is shown as a separate member, rather than being shown as anover-molding which is formed on the insert member 28. In otherembodiments, the forward housing 29 may be a separate member from theinsert member 28. The forward housing 29 has a threaded central portion110 and a longitudinally extending, rearward end portion 112.

The insert member 28 includes the tabs 30 on the forward end thereof,apertures 115 for passing the termini 18 and contacts 24 of the hybridreceptacle 16 into the insert member 28. The insert member 28 furtherincludes an enlarged portion 114 which defines an annular-shapedshoulder 116, which is continuous and faces forward for engaging with acontinuous annular-shaped shoulder 118 (shown in FIG. 2) formedinteriorly within the forward housing 29 for facing rearward to matinglyengage with the shoulder 116 of the insert member 28. The two matingshoulders 116 and 118 matingly engage such that when assembled withinthe hybrid connector 14, the shoulder 118 will press against theshoulder 116 to secure the insert member 28 within the forward housing29. The rear portion 74 of the support member 62 has exterior threads120, for threadingly securing to the interior threads 122 of theenlarged portion 124 defining the forward end of the rear seal body 60.The exterior of the enlarged portion 124 has an outwardly disposed,annular-shaped seal surface 126. Two flats 128 (one shown in FIG. 5 a)are provided for engaging with a wrench for threadingly securing therear seal body 60 to the support member 62. The flats 128 are formedinto the exterior of the rearward portion 130.

A seal boot 140, a compression ring 142, and two seal members 144 and146 are provided for securing within a rear housing cap 156 of thehybrid connector 14. The seal members 144 and 146 are preferablyprovided by elastomeric O-rings which are disposed within the sealglands 148 and 150 (shown in FIG. 2). The seal glands 148 and 150 aredefined by grooves 152 and 154, respectively, formed into the interiorsurface of the rear housing cap 156, and an exterior, rearward endportion 112 of the forward housing 29, and the seal surface 126 of theenlarged portion 124 of the rear seal body 60. The rear housing cap 156has interior threads 158 formed into a forward end thereof. The rearwardterminal end of a rearward portion 162 of the rear housing cap 156 hasan inwardly extending, annular-shaped, flange 160 which provides a lipfor retaining the forward end 164 of the seal boot 140 within the rearhousing cap 156 and the rear seal body 60.

FIG. 6 is a longitudinal section view of the support member 62, takenalong section line 6—6 of FIG. 5A. The support member 62 has a passage172 which extends from the rear terminal end of the support member 62,to an intermediate portion thereof, which is proximate to the forwardend of the rear portion 74, and adjacent to the rear end of the shank76. Preferably, the passage 172 has three sections, a rear section 174which extends forward from the rear terminal end of the support memberand then divides into two sections 176 and 178 in a Y-type ofconfiguration. This Y type of configuration provides two exit pointswith the apertures 180 and 182, such that a large enough cross-sectionalarea will be provided by the apertures 180 and 182 so that a smallerbore may be used to define the internal diameter of the passages 176 and178. The rear passage 174 may have a larger internal diameter than theforward passages 176 and 178. The electrical conductors 26 and theoptical fibers 20 are both passed through the passage 17, and woundaround the shank 76. Wrapping the electrical conductors 26 and theoptical fibers 20 about the shank 76 provides a minimum bend radius forthe optical fibers and sufficient slack for both the optical fibers 20and the electrical conductors 26 to allow for rebuilding of one of thetermini 18 without requiring all of the termini 18 included within thehybrid connector 14 having to be rebuilt.

FIG. 7 is a partial, perspective view of a forward end portion of thesupport member 62. The tab 80 is shown in forward terminal end face ofthe shank 76. The retainer ring 78 is shown in more detail, having arearward portion 190 and a forward portion 192. The rearward portion isof a slightly larger dimension around the entire peripheral edge of therearward portion 190 than that of the forward portion 192, such that ashoulder 194 defines a lip which extends continuously around theperipheral edge of the retainer ring 78. This continuous shoulder 194provides a stop for retaining the termini 18 within the insert member 28(shown in FIG. 2). The peripheries of the edges of the rearward portion190 and the forward portion 192 define profiles 196 and 198,respectively. The profiles 196 and 198 have outermost portions 200 and201 for matingly engaging against the interior of the recess portion 84of the insert member 28. The portions 202 and 203 of the profiles 196and 198 are defined for engaging against the termini 18, with the lip orshoulder 194 retaining the termini 18 within the recessed portion 84 ofthe insert member 28.

FIG. 8 is a sectional view of the insert 28, and the shank 76 andretainer ring 78 of the support member 62, taken along section line 8—8of FIG. 2 after the retainer ring 78 is inserted within the insert 28 toretain the termini 18 and the electrical contacts 22 within the insert28. The inner surface of the recessed portion 84 of the insert 28 isshaped to define a profile 212 having a plurality of portions 214 and216. The portions 214 of the profile 212 for matingly receive theportions 200 of the periphery 196 of the retainer ring 78. The portionsof the profile 212 are arcuately shaped for being spaced apart from theportions 202 of the profiles 196 and 198 together define bores 220within which the termini 18 are disposed. The profile 212 of the recess84 is further formed to have a shape which provides an inwardlyprotruding member which defines keying members 218 which matingly engagethe portions of the profiles 196 and 198 defined by the shape of theprofiles 196 and 198 to angularly align the retainer ring 78 and shank76 within the recess 84 of the insert member 28. That is, the generalshape of the profile 212 is defined in relations to the general shape ofthe profiles 196 and 198 to provide a keying arrangement for angularlyaligning the retainer ring 78 of the support member 62 to align contacts22 and the termini 18 within particularly defined portions 216 of theinsert member 28. The tab 80 (shown in FIG. 7) is offset to one side ofthe forward face of the shank 76 such that only particular ones of theportions 202 of the profiles 196 and 198 will be aligned with particularones of the portions 216 of the profile 212. The profile 212 and theprofiles 196 and 198 are sized to provide a clearance therebetween, toallow slight adjustment of the terminal 18 for aligning with matingtermini. The length of that portion of the shank 76 of the supportmember 62 which extends forward of the shoulder 194 of the retainer ring78 is of a length to allow the termini 18 to move for slight distancesparallel to the longitudinal axis 88, being pushes forward by the spring244 to provide means for alignment of the termini 18 with matingtermini. However the overall length of the support member 62 is suchthat the shank 76 is compressed between the insert 28 and the real sealbody 60, such that no clearances are provided for movement of thesupport member 62 after the hybrid connector is fully assembled.

FIG. 9 is a longitudinal section view of a terminus assembly 232, whichmay be used for the termini 18 in he hybrid connector 14 and in thehybrid receptacle 16. The terminus assembly 232 includes a ferrule 234,which is preferably formed of a ceramic material. A terminus body 236 ispreferably formed of metal, and has enlarged end portion 238 having asocket 248 within which the ferrule 234 is press fit. A retainer ring240 is press fit on the rear end of the terminus body 236. A springretainer ring 242 is preferably annular-shaped and slidably fits aroundthe exterior of the terminus body 236. A coil spring 244 extends aroundthe body 236, between the enlarged end portion 238 of the body 236 andthe spring retainer ring 242. The spring retainer ring 242 is disposedbetween the spring 244 and the retainer ring 240. A bore 246 extends frmthe rear terminal end of the terminus body 236 to the socket 248. Thesocket 248 is formed in the forward end of the terminus body 236, andpreferably has a slight taper for receiving the rear terminal end of theferrule 2234, which is press fit into the socket 248. A guide taper 250is provided in the rear terminal end of the ferrule 234 for guiding anoptical fiber into the bore 252. The bore 252 extends through theferrule 234, from the guide taper 250 to the forward end face 254 of theferrule 234. The end face 254 is polished along with a terminal end ofan optical fiber, and preferably an optical coupling gel is placed onthe forward end for coupling to another termini.

The insert 28 and the forward housing 29 are preferably formed of amolded of plastic material. The coupling nut 36, the rear seal body 60,the support member 62, the retainer sleeve 92 and the rear housing cap156 may also be formed of molded plastic. The insert 28 and the supportmember 62 are preferably formed of non-conductive plastic. The couplingnut 36, the forward housing 29 and the rear housing cap 156 arepreferably formed of conductive plastic materials. Similarly, thereceptacle body 32 and the termini retainer 64 are preferably formed ofnon-conductive plastic, and the coupling sleeve 40 is formed of aconductive plastic material. The fastener and the busing 73 may also beof plastic, either conductive or non-conductive. Preferably,polyphenalynesulfide (“PPS”) is used to provide a plastic material formolding the various components of the connector 14 and the receptacle16. The PPS is glass filled to provide the non-conductive plasticmaterials. For the conductive plastic materials, metallic particles areincluded in the PPS, which also may be glass filled. In otherembodiments, various ones of the components of the connector 14 and thereceptacle 16 may be formed of other suitable materials, such as metal.

Preferably, the hybrid connector 14 and the hybrid receptacle 16 of thecoupling 12 may be used for selectively coupling only optical fibers 20or for coupling only electrical conductors 26. In the preferredembodiment of the hybrid connector 14, each of the bores 86 theconnector 14, the mating profiles 196 and 198 of the retainer ring 78mounted to the shank 76 of the support member 62, and the recess 84 inthe insert 28 are sized for receiving either of the termini 18 ofoptical fibers 18 or the contacts 22 of the electrical conductors 26.Similarly, in the preferred embodiment of the hybrid receptacle 16, eachof the bores 68 in the receptacle body 32 and the slots 65 in thetermini retainer 64 are sized for receiving either of the termini 18 ofoptical fibers 18 or the contacts 24 of the electrical conductors 26.Various ones of the optical termini 18 and the electric contacts 22 and24 may be selectively field interchanged in the hybrid connector 14 andthe hybrid receptacle 16, for selectively connecting either opticalfibers 20 or electrical conductors 26. The connectors and matingreceptacles (not shown) of FIGS. 10 and 11 may also be similarly fieldconfigured for selectively connecting optical fibers 20 or electricalconductors 26.

FIGS. 10 and 11 are sectional views similar to FIG. 8, whichschematically depict alternative configurations for matingly engagingretainer rings of alternative central members within various insertmembers. In FIG. 10, an alternative insert 262 is engaged with analternative retainer ring 264, having profiles 268 and 270 respectively.In FIG. 11, alternative insert 272 is an alternative retainer ring 274have mating profiles 276 and 278, respectively.

FIGS. 12, 13 and 14 are sectional views which schematically depictvarious alternative configurations for alternative hybrid cables 280,282 arid 284, respectively. The hybrid cables 280, 282 and 284 includevarious combinations and structures for enclosing housing optical fibers286 and electric power conductors 288. The hybrid cables 280 and 282have outerjackets 290 and 292, respectively. The hybrid cable 284 has anouterjacket 298, and innerjackets 294 and 296 disposed interiorly withinthe outer jacket 298.

The hybrid connector of the present invention provides severaladvantages over prior art fiber optic connectors and electricalconnectors. A singular connector is provided for connecting bothelectrical conductors and optical fibers, for providing electrical powerand carrying optical data signals, respectively. A support member isprovided which is centrally disposed within the hybrid connector,providing a strut of elongated shape which provides structural supportfor the hybrid connector, extending between an insert member in theforward end of the hybrid connector and a rear seal body disposed in therearward end of the hybrid connector. The strut member has a retainerring which is integrally molded therewith, and formed to have a edgeperiphery for matingly engaging within an interior periphery of a recessformed in the rearward end of the insert member. The outer periphery ofthe retainer member and the interior periphery of the recess of theinsert for shaped to together define sockets or seats for receiving thetermini and the electrical contacts, and define continuous shoulders forretaining the termini in fixed relation between the retainer ring of thesupport member and the insert body. The hybrid connector has severalcomponents which are integrally molded from plastic to reduce productioncosts and labor required for assembly. The insert and insert cap areintegrally molded as a singular members, and the termini retainer andthe support member are integrally molded as singular members.Additionally, a portion of the housing is over-molded onto the insert,reducing the number parts required for the hybrid connector 14.

Although the preferred embodiment has been described in detail, itshould be understood that various changes, substitutions and alterationscan be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of theinvention as defined by the appended claims.

1. A fiber optic connector for mounting to a cable having a plurality ofoptical fibers and optically connecting the optical fibers to matingoptical fibers, wherein the optical fibers and the mating optical fibershave termini mounted to respective ends thereof, the fiber opticconnector comprising: a housing defining an exterior of the fiber opticconnector and having a forward portion and a rear portion to which thecable is secured and through which the plurality of optical fibers enterthe connector; a support member having a shank which is disposed withinthe housing extending between the rear portion of the housing and theforward portion of the housing with a gap disposed between the housingand the shank through which the optical fibers extend; a recess which isdisposed in the forward portion of the housing and has an interiorlydisposed periphery which defines a recess profile, the recess profilehaving inner portions which receive the termini of the optical fibers; aretainer ring disposed on the shank of the support member in the forwardportion of the housing such that the retainer ring is positioned withinthe recess; the retainer ring further including an edge periphery whichdefines a retainer profile having outward portions and inward portions,the inward portions being defined for receiving the termini of theoptical fibers; and wherein the recess profile and the retainer profileare formed such that the retainer profile fits within the recess profilein a keyed arrangement, thereby angularly aligning the retainer ringwith the recess.
 2. The fiber optic connector in accordance with claim1, further including electrical contacts for mounting to electricalconductors included in the cable and extending through the gap betweenthe housing and the shank.
 3. The fiber optic connector in accordancewith claim 1, wherein the shank is dimensioned to allow the opticalfibers to wrap around the shank with a bend radius which is not lessthan the predetermined minimum bend radius for the optical fibers. 4.The fiber optic connector in accordance with claim 1, wherein the gapbetween the housing and the shank is dimensioned to allow the opticalfibers to wrap around the shank with sufficient slack between the cableand the termini to allow for rebuilding one of the termini withoutrequiring all of the termini within the connector to be rebuilt.
 5. Thefiber optic connector in accordance with claim 4, further includingelectrical contacts for mounting to electrical conductors included inthe cable and extending through the gap between the housing and theshank, the conductors wrapping around the shank with the optical fiberswith sufficient slack between the cable and the contacts to allow forrebuilding one of the contacts and termini without requiring all of thecontacts and termini within the connector to be rebuilt.
 6. Anelectrical connector for mounting to a cable having a plurality ofelectrical conductors and electrically connecting the electricalconductors to mating electrical conductors, wherein the electricalconductors and the mating electrical conductors have contacts mounted torespective ends thereof, the electrical connector comprising: a housingdefining an exterior of the electrical connector and having a forwardportion and a rear portion to which the cable is secured and throughwhich the plurality of electrical conductors enter the connector; asupport member having a shank which is disposed within the housingextending between the rear portion of the housing and the forwardportion of the housing with a gap disposed between the housing and theshank through which the electrical conductors extend; a recess which isdisposed in the forward portion of the housing and has an interiorlydisposed periphery which defines a recess profile, the recess profilehaving inner portions which receive the contacts of the electricalconductors; a retainer ring disposed on the shank of the support memberin the forward portion of the housing such that the retainer ring ispositioned within the recess; the retainer ring further includes an edgeperiphery which defines a retainer profile having outward portions andinward portions, the inward portions being defined for receiving thecontacts of the electrical conductors; and wherein the recess profileand the retainer profile are formed such that the retainer profile fitswithin the recess profile in a keyed arrangement, thereby angularlyaligning the retainer ring with the recess.
 7. The electrical connectorin accordance with claim 6, further including termini for mounting tooptical fibers included in the cable and extending through the gapbetween the housing and the shank.
 8. The electrical connector inaccordance with claim 6, wherein the gap between the housing and theshank is dimensioned to allow the electrical conductors to wrap aroundthe shank with sufficient slack between the cable and the contacts toallow for rebuilding one of the contacts without requiring all of thecontacts within the connector to be rebuilt.
 9. The electrical connectorin accordance with claim 8, further including termini for mounting tooptical fibers included in the cable and extending through the gapbetween the housing and the shank, the optical fibers wrapping aroundthe shank with the electrical conductors with sufficient slack betweenthe cable and the termini to allow for rebuilding one of the contactsand termini without requiring all of the contacts and termini within theconnector to be rebuilt.